Tournaments

Friday, November 30, 2012

I first read Coraline by Neil Gaiman 5 years ago, and it is one of those books that has stuck with me ever since. I even used it in my classroom every year around Halloween because my students (7th and 8th graders) loved taking a break from the AP level books to read something fun and easy. Neil Gaiman's characters are eerie and fabulous--leaping off the page into your imagination.

And now it's the 10 year anniversary of this wonderfully creepy story! So, to celebrate, Neil Gaiman plus your favorite authors have come together to read Coraline in its entirety!

First up, my review of Awry: (THIS IS A REVIEW OF BOOK 2, I'VE TRIED TO KEEP IT AS SPOILER FREE AS POSSIBLE, BUT SOMETIMES THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE IN A 2ND BOOK REVIEW. PROCEED WITH CAUTION)

Sometimes love is meant to be. But sometimes...love is the death of you....

Seventeen-year-old Scarlet has just died. Only, dying isn't unusual for a girl under a centuries old curse that left her semi-immortal.

This time, though, she comes back to her current life instead of awaking in a new one, and she realizes the curse is changing. Together with the immortal Archer brothers, Scarlet must piece together her life and try to break the curse before her impending death comes again.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I can't believe I am saying this because I loved Anew so much, but Awry is even better! Everything I loved about Anew still holds true in Awry, but we just get a deeper look. You know that crazy, heartbreaking, soul shattering cliffhanger that was Anew?!?! Well, Chelsea more than makes up for the damage she caused to us with the secrets she reveals in Awry. I just thought I loved Tristan in book 1, but let me tell you, he will steal your heart away in book 2. And, I am totally fine with him keeping it and doing whatever he pleases with it.

Awry picks up exactly after the cliffhanger of Anew leaves off. History has repeated itself once again (you know what that means if you have read book 1), but things are changing. The curse does not seem to be the same. Change is scary especially if it deals with eternity. Everything they thought they knew about the curse can no longer be trusted. So, the gang all has to work together to research what this all could possibly mean. Plus, with the Scarlet's eyes flashing even earlier this time, time is of the essence. Nothing throughout the hundreds of years of their lives so far, has ever been as important as finding an end to the curse. I was literally on the edge of my seat, pleading with Scarlet to remember important details from her past. I felt like there was an hourglass sitting right beside me, as I read. The closer I got to the end of the book, the faster the sand drained away. My blood pressure still hasn't recovered!

Hands down, the best part of this book was the flashbacks. It was honestly like 2 books in one. Every other chapter took place in the 1500's chronicling the the first time Scarlet met Tristan and Gabriel. I would have been totally fine with an entire book just written about this time. Chelsea should seriously think about writing historical fiction. It was brilliant! How amazing it was to see their first meetings and watch them fall in love from the beginning. All I kept thinking is they have been watching Scarlet die for almost 500 years. I can't imagine what it must be like to watch someone you love die over and over and being helpless to stop it. Tristan, Tristan, Tristan...oh my word or should I say "Hunter"!!! Tristan was such a mystery in Anew, but I was just drawn to him. He brings broken, bad boy to a whole new level. The inner pain that radiates off him is off the charts! And ladies, if you loved Tristan now, wait until you get to know him better! He is un-freakin-believable!!! There is no one on the face of this earth that can read Awry and not fall in love with him. Also, what is hotter than a guy that can shoot a bow and arrow? Nothing, I tell you, nothing! I just have no words to describe him. Everyone just has to trust me and read this!I love this series! Archer's of Avalon has everything; medieval history, ancient curses, witches, archers, immortality, destiny and a story that holds you at the edge of your seat. It's YA literature at it's best! For parents or anyone else concerned with content. I would say it's safe for all young adults. There is some kissing and some violence. If you want more details you can ask in the comments or email me.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

AVOW TRAILER and GIVEAWAY

(the final book in the Archers of Avalon series)Available December 11th

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. It spotlights books that have not yet been released, but ones that you should pre-order today! This week's book that we are anxiously awaiting is NAMELESS by Lili St.Crow. NAMELESS releases on April 4, 2013 from Razorbill.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

When Camille was six years old, she was discovered alone in the snow by Enrico Vultusino, godfather of the Seven—the powerful Families that rule magic-ridden New Haven. Papa Vultusino adopted the mute, scarred child, naming her after his dead wife and raising her in luxury on Haven Hill alongside his own son, Nico.

Now Cami is turning sixteen. She’s no longer mute, though she keeps her faded scars hidden under her school uniform, and though she opens up only to her two best friends, Ruby and Ellie, and to Nico, who has become more than a brother to her. But even though Cami is a pampered Vultusino heiress, she knows that she is not really Family. Unlike them, she is a mortal with a past that lies buried in trauma. And it’s not until she meets the mysterious Tor, who reveals scars of his own, that Cami begins to uncover the secrets of her birth…to find out where she comes from and why her past is threatening her now.

New York Times bestselling author Lili St. Crow thrilled legions of fans with her dark paranormal series Strange Angels. Now she has crafted an evocative update of Snow White, set in a vividly imagined world and populated by unforgettable new characters.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Another fairytale retelling! Yay! I haven't read one in book form yet, but I have seen quite a few that come out in 2013 that look great. Nameless is one on the top of that list for me! I can't wait to meet Cami and Tor and see what secrets they are both keeping.

Plus, the cover is gorgeous!!!!! It's eye-catching and gothic--absolutely gorgeous!

"'Hope is a waking dream.' I let the words echo in my head. The quore reminded me of that feeling you get when you start to wake from a dream you don't want to leave. That crushing sensation in the center of your chest, like you are losing an important piece of yourself you won't ever get back." ARC, pg 115

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I loved this book so much! It was one of those that I HAD to read in one sitting because I refused to put it down. It had it all--action, intrigue, romance, murder, and mystery! It's the best book I've read in the last few months!

Seventeen-year-old Ari Alexander just broke that rule and saw the last person she expected hovering above her bed — arrogant Jackson Locke, the most popular boy in her school. She expects instant execution or some kind of freak alien punishment, but instead, Jackson issues a challenge: help him, or everyone on Earth will die.

Ari knows she should report him, but everything about Jackson makes her question what she’s been taught about his kind. And against her instincts, she’s falling for him. But Ari isn’t just any girl, and Jackson wants more than her attention. She’s a military legacy who’s been trained by her father and exposed to war strategies and societal information no one can know — especially an alien spy, like Jackson. Giving Jackson the information he needs will betray her father and her country, but keeping silent will start a war.

I had been looking forward to reading Gravity since I first
read the blurb months and months ago.The concept was new and refreshing, and I couldn’t wait to dig into
Jackson’s secrets!Now that I have read
it, I will say—his secrets are definitely worth reading!Adventurous and romantic, Gravity will lift your off your feet and
send your soaring through a broken world teetering on the brink of
destruction.

The world building was my favorite part of this book.Earth has been ravaged by war after war, to
the point where nothing grows naturally any more.As a result, humans had to reach out to the
Ancients to try and bring the Earth and its resources back to life.I found the new government interesting—how the
future seemed to bleed back into the past where family lineage was the way to
power; yet the technology was much more advanced than our own.Prejudice and poverty are rife, and those in
power seek to obtain perfection.

I found Ari to be a kick butt heroine, even though she was
daft at times.Her father is one of the
most powerful people in this dystopian world, and he is in charge of the safety
of the citizens.Since power is handed
down through families, this makes Ari the next in line to be the sort of
supreme commander.She has ninja skills
that would make Jackie Chan look twice, and she doesn’t give in to pain and
vulnerability.I liked that strength
about her, and I liked that she also had a mind of her own.She wasn’t brainwashed like you would think
many who have been indoctrinated to believe something would be; instead, she
looks at the evidence, weighs the consequences, and then chooses what she
thinks is best for the world.The only
thing that bugged me at times is she seemed to be clueless when it comes to
relationships.There were things that
she didn’t understand that were right in front of her, and that made me want to
smack her at points.

Don’t. Ever. Peak.

But with Jackson Locke?That’s just not possible!He’s
gorgeous—sculpted and made to look like the perfect human being, but he also
has the hero complex that just makes me swoon.Add the fact that he floats over Ari every night while she is asleep
(hot!), and he is just full to the brim with sexiness!But Jackson has secrets of his own, and I
really didn’t see them coming.Maybe I
should have, but Melissa did a great job of making you focus on other aspects
of the world and the forth-coming war that when you discover his secret, you
don’t really see it coming.Jackson made
me smile—that’s how I would explain him.He’s the guy that’s caring and can hypnotize you with a look, yet once
the trance is broken, you see how dangerous and deadly he truly is.

And The
ENDING!!!!Oh my goodness, I can’t wait
for the next book to come out because I need to know what is in store for Ari and
her world!I was able to predict that
something weird/crazy would happen just from the hints, but everything is still
all up in the air; and I’m not really sure if I have any idea about what is
coming.So, Melissa and Entangled…..we
need book 2 now!!!!Now!!!Please!!!

I did find a few plot holes throughout the story, but since
this is just the first book, it is probably because those revelations have yet
to be revealed.

Melissa creates a world torn apart by despair and greed,
where its brother against brother, friend against friend—a world where fate is
manipulated, love is perilous, and truth is obscured.So ignore the warning, and take a peak!

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Today we have the pleasure of hosting the Luminosity Blog Tour! I was so excited to get to read Stephanie Thomas's book!!! Be sure to check out my review below, and don't forget to enter to win an ecopy and Bea's necklace in the Rafflecopter's at the bottom of this post. PLUS...keep scrolling after this post to see the OPAL TRAILER from Entangled and Jennifer L. Armentrout.

*****************************************

Luminosity by Stephanie Thomas

Published by Entangled Publishing

AVAILABLE NOW!

Reviewed by:Middle Sis
Jenn

The Sisters Say:Gripping,
Mysterious and Gruesome

My name is Beatrice. When I was born, I was blessed with the Sight. I was immediately removed from my parents and enrolled in the Institution. At the age of twelve, I had my first true vision, earning my raven’s wings. And when I turned seventeen, one of my visions came true. Things haven’t been the same since.

The Institution depends on me to keep the City safe from our enemy, the Dreamcatchers, but I’m finding it harder to do while keeping a secret from everyone, including my best friend Gabe. It is a secret that could put us all in danger. A secret that could kill me and everyone close to me.

But the enemy has been coming to me in my dreams, and I think I’m falling in love with him. He says they’re coming. He says they’re angry. And I think I’ve already helped them win.

From the moment I read the blurb about this one, I was
hooked.What’s not to love?

A dystopian society—check

Mysterious villains—check

Dangerous dream boy—check

And then when the cover was revealed, I wanted to read it
even more!This cover is absolutely
gorgeous, and I still can’t take my eyes off of it!

Enter a world where death is everywhere, where mystery
abounds, and where love and hate are two halves to the same whole.A thrill ride of a story, Luminosity won’t
just bring you to the edge of your seat, it will tip you right over!

I was intrigued by Stephanie’s world because it seemed like
it was set out of place and out of time.It’s a world where paranormal powers exist and are commonplace, yet
revered and feared.It’s a world that
rose from the ashes of the past only to find itself, once more, on the brink of
destruction.What I find most
interesting is how it feels like there are no good guys.The story takes place from Beatrice’s point
of view (she’s a Seer), so we get a biased view of the world.Now I think it’s a biased view, not a
truthful view.Beatrice doesn’t know
much about her enemy, the Dreamcatchers, and as a result, we know little
nothing about them either.All we know
is that the Seers want to kill them and the Dreamcatchers want to kill the
Seers.So that is why I say there are no
good guys.There is so much mystery surrounding
their world that we know very little about why they hate each other.Because of this, you are always on edge,
wondering when a truth will surface—and when it does, whose truth will it
be?And can it even be called
truth?Stephanie’s world is a game of
cat and mouse, but the question is--who is the cat and who is the mouse?

Beatrice was an unusual heroine because I felt like she
wanted to do good, but she was pulled into a bad situation and didn’t know how
to fight back.She is revered as one of
the greatest Seers, yet she is unsure of herself and unsure about what she
really wants.I liked that even though
she was powerful, she was still weak and vulnerable in some aspects of her
life.However, there were times when I
got annoyed by her because I felt like she was being too naïve.She was too trusting, to a point where she
would trust people pointing a gun at her head.At these points, I wanted to whack her upside the head and yell, “What
are you thinking??”Still, I was
captured by her struggle because she was unaware that she was walking such a
dangerous line between protector and betrayer.

So…I know what you are wanting to know.The guys, am I right?There are two in this book, Gabe and Echo;
and they couldn’t be more different.Gabe is Beatrice’s best friend, but they are starting to become more
than that.I truthfully didn’t like Gabe
that much because I felt he was too fickle and sensitive.He likes Beatrice, but when Bea pays him
little attention because her mind is on the war (seriously, whose mind wouldn’t
be on the war?), he got all huffy and pouty about it.Still, they had some very sweet and sincere romantic
moments.

And Echo…the Dreamcatcher.I like Echo because I always fall for the mysterious bad boy, even
though we don’t really know if Echo is the bad guy.He speaks in riddles (hot!), but he seems to
know exactly what Bea needs.They are
drawn to each other like a moth to the flame, and its possible, they just might
be the death of each other.But this is
what makes their relationship so compelling.It’s built on trust when there should be none between them.It’s raw and emotional, yet at times void of
feeling.If ever there was a roller
coaster of a relationship, this would be it!But who doesn’t love a good roller coaster?

Overall, this was a unique and enjoyable read.There were times when the action was slow and
I found myself wondering when things were going to pick up, but then the last
25% of the book came along and it was fight after fight, kiss after kiss,
revelation after revelation.I will warn
you though, be ready for some gruesome and very sad moments.There were deaths and murders that were
extremely upsetting to me as a parent because Stephanie did not shy away from
child death.So, put your tough skin on
to read this one.

I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes from the book,
and be sure to purchase your copy today!

“Everything is starting to unravel into a pool of
nonsense.And standing in the middle of
the pool is Echo, handsome and tall, pleading with me to save him.Save us.”Pg 92

No one is like Daemon Black. When he set out to prove his feelings for me, he wasn’t fooling around. Doubting him isn’t something I’ll do again, and now that we’ve made it through the rough patches, well... There’s a lot of spontaneous combustion going on. But even he can’t protect his family from the danger of trying to free those they love. After everything, I’m no longer the same Katy. I’m different... And I’m not sure what that will mean in the end. When each step we take in discovering the truth puts us in the path of the secret organization responsible for torturing and testing hybrids, the more I realize there is no end to what I’m capable of. The death of someone close still lingers, help comes from the most unlikely source, and friends will become the deadliest of enemies, but we won’t turn back. Even if the outcome will shatter our worlds forever. Together we’re stronger... and they know it.

USA TODAY Bestselling author, Jennifer L. Armentrout, lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing, she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell, Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She also writes adult romance under the name J. Lynn.
Find Jennifer on:

(make sure what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Gravity by Melissa West
Published by: Entangled Publishing
Releases TODAY!!!!!

In the future, only one rule will matter:

Don’t. Ever. Peek.

Seventeen-year-old Ari Alexander just broke that rule and saw the last person she expected hovering above her bed — arrogant Jackson Locke, the most popular boy in her school. She expects instant execution or some kind of freak alien punishment, but instead, Jackson issues a challenge: help him, or everyone on Earth will die.

Ari knows she should report him, but everything about Jackson makes her question what she’s been taught about his kind. And against her instincts, she’s falling for him. But Ari isn’t just any girl, and Jackson wants more than her attention. She’s a military legacy who’s been trained by her father and exposed to war strategies and societal information no one can know — especially an alien spy, like Jackson. Giving Jackson the information he needs will betray her father and her country, but keeping silent will start a war.My teaser:"'Danger lies with those who ignore the signs.'" eARC, Location 121-122"It's like gravity disappears when he's around and I'm lost, no longer sure of anything." eARC, Location 126-126~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*I really enjoyed this book. It was different, and it doesn't hurt that Jackson is strong and handsome! Ari is a kick butt heroine, and I really enjoyed watching her strength and assurance. This is definitely a quick read with a sweet romance, and I'm ready to see what Book 2 has in store for us.Be sure to come back and check out my stop on the Gravity Blog Tour next Monday!Leave me your link for your TT!

Monday, November 19, 2012

I have to start off by saying: I LOVE THIS SERIES!!!! It is full of angst, magic, curses, immortality, tragic love, a crazy love triangle and just all around goodness!!! Plus, Chelsea Fine is a sweetheart and you should all go follow and talk to her on twitter! I am dying for this final installment and the cover only hightens my aniticipation! Here is my review of book 1 in the series, Anew.Stay tuned later in the week for my review of book 2, Awry.

Scarlet remembers. Everything. Her past lives, Tristan, Gabriel, Nate: she remembers it all--including how to get to the
Fountain of Youth. But time
is running out.

Heather
and Gabriel have been kidnapped by Raven, while the curse that has plagued Scarlet and Tristan for
centuries has shifted, putting the star-crossed lovers in more danger than ever before. Water from the Fountain of Youth is the only thing that can save
Scarlet and her loved ones. But the water comes at a price.

With lives--and
hearts--at stake, Scarlet leads her friends on a
dangerous journey to the Fountain of Youth. Where eternal life is
possible, but death is certain.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Fallen In Love by Lauren KatePublished by Delcorte BFYROn Shelves NowReviewed by: Middle Sis JennThe Sisters Say: For a novella with such great promise, it fell disappointingly flatUnexpected. Unrequited. Forbidden. Eternal. Everyone has their own love story.

And in a twist of fate, four extraordinary love stories combine over the course of a romantic Valentine's Day in Medieval England. Miles and Shelby find love where they least expect it. Roland learns a painful lesson about finding-and losing love. Arianne pays the price for a love so fierce it burns. And for the first -and last- time, Daniel and Luce will spend a night together like none other.

Lauren Kate's FALLEN IN LOVE is filled with love stories . . . the ones everyone has been waiting for.

True love never says goodbye. .I found these short stories interesting to read--you really get some insight into some of the characters in the Fallen series. But, I found when I was finished, my overall reaction was merely, "meh."

Surprisingly, the best part was Roland's short story. If I were rating the book just on that story, it would have gotten 5 stars. I loved seeing how Roland's past choices consume his present self, and after choosing Lucifer, he can still feel love, shame, and sorrow. Hopefully we can see more of this Roland in Rapture!

What bothered me?I got bogged down in all the details again--just like in Passion. There were entire pages that I just skimmed because it was description after description after description. There was a point I wanted to yell, "Get to it already!"

And the story I really wanted to see more of....Luce and Daniel, was the one with not enough details! It was shorter than the rest, and the passion and depth just weren't there.

Nonetheless, if you like the Fallen series, you should still check this out, just for the sake of seeing a little deeper into the psyche of the angels.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. It spotlights books that have not yet been released, but ones that you should pre-order today! This week's book that we are anxiously awaiting is DR. FRANKENSTEIN'S DAUGHTERS by Suzanne Weyn. DR. FRANKENSTEIN'S DAUGHTERS releases on January 1, 2013 from Scholastic.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

A new generation is creating a monster....

Doctor Victor Frankenstein's previously unacknowledged beautiful, intelligent twin daughters (from an early marriage when he was a student) have come to Frankenstein's Castle to claim it as their inheritance.

Shortly thereafter they learn that a serial killer is on the loose. They try to ignore this -- Gretchen takes up her father's work, while Ingrid throws lavish parties. Gretchen and Ingrid form a love triangle with a young naval officer with a debilitating disease. Though he loves Ingrid, he agrees to work with Gretchen on a series of body transplants that improve his condition. Before long he is even walking without his cane. He does not know that the science that is helping him is the science of death itself . . .

A twisted, macabre journey of romance and horror.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I am a huge fan of the classic, Frankenstein, so when I saw Suzanne's blurb, I was so excited! I love that this is a new generation to the Frankenstein legend, not just a remake, so anything can happen. I find it interesting that the girls are so different, and I cannot wait to discover the secrets that the castle and the twins hold. Plus, there's the romance...and I love romance!

What are you waiting for this week? I'm in Mexico, so leave me a link, and I will visit your WOW as soon as I can.

"'When the Stormer attacked it was like the world ended. Everthing gone, destroyed, sucked up, or broken and left in splinters." ARC, pg 96

"He puts his arms on either side of me, caging me between them. My heart slams against my chest so hard it feels like it will bruise me from the inside out." ARC, pg 116

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

This is a MUST READ you guys! I loved it from beginning to end. The idea was brilliant, and Shannon's characters will sweep you away. You know that wonderful feeling of Spring when a cool breeze washes over your face and all you smell is flowers mixed with the scent of a fresh rain? That's this book!!!!

Leave me a link to your TT and I will go visit as soon as I am home (on vacay right now)!!!

Monday, November 12, 2012

For millennia we've caught only glimpses of the lives and loves of the gods and goddesses on Olympus. Now Aimée Carter pulls back the curtain on how they became the powerful, petty, loving and dangerous immortals that Kate Winters knows.Calliope/Hera represented constancy and yet had a husband who never matched her faithfulness .

Ava/Aphrodite was the goddess of love and yet commitment was a totally different deal .

Persephone was urged to marry one man, yet longed for another .

James/Hermes loved to make trouble for others#151;but never knew true loss before .

Henry/Hades's solitary existence had grown too wearisome to continue. But meeting Kate Winters gave him a new hope .

After reading The Goddess Legacy, I find myself somewhat disappointed especially since I absolutely love the first two books in this series. I love Aimee’s characters, and I find her spin on the Hades/Persephone myth intriguing. While the novellas did give me insight into each of the Gods, I didn’t find myself really enjoying their stories that much, which is upsetting as I was really looking forward to these!

I will say that the novellas helped me understand the actions of some of the Gods in the books, especially Calliope. Her novella really shows her the pain and anguish that she has dealt with for millennia and why how her circumstances turned her into a monster. You really start to feel sorry for her because of the terrible things that happen to her, but it’s hard to bridge that with the terrible person that is ruining Henry and Kate’s lives in the actual novels.

Persephone’s novella was also telling, but I have to admit I dislike her quite a bit after reading it. It seemed the novella was trying to get us to understand her dilemma and why she acted in the way she did, but I truthfully just thought she was petty and selfish. I actually somewhat like Persephone in the books, but after these, I kind of want to smack her.

The only novella I think I really enjoyed (besides the small glimpse at Henry which was so short I don’t think it should even have been considered a novella) was Ava’s (Aphrodite). I really enjoyed seeing how she ended up with Hephaestus. I also enjoyed seeing Ares in her novella because we really don’t see much of him in the books and I have always been curious.

Henry’s was the novella I was looking forward to because he is so closed off in the books and you just don’t know what he is thinking or feeling. I was hoping for some insight into why he loves Persephone so much and why he has a hard time showing Kate how he feels. But, his novella was so short, mainly showing us what we already knew in the books, so I was really disappointed.

Overall, it was neat to get some insight into why the Gods act the way they do, seeing their misery and pain manifested into their stories; however, I just felt like I was having to force myself to read through the novellas. Nothing really grabbed me and made me want to keep reading.

Friday, November 9, 2012

Easy by Tammara WebberSelf-Published, Now signed with PenguinOn Shelves NowReviewed by: Middle Sis JennThe Sisters Say: Seductive and ElusiveA girl who believes trust can be misplaced, promises are made to be broken, and loyalty is an illusion. A boy who believes truth is relative, lies can mask unbearable pain, and guilt is eternal. Will what they find in each other validate their conclusions, or disprove them all?

When Jacqueline follows her longtime boyfriend to the college of his choice, the last thing she expects is a breakup two months into sophomore year. After two weeks in shock, she wakes up to her new reality: she's single, attending a state university instead of a music conservatory, ignored by her former circle of friends, and failing a class for the first time in her life.

Leaving a party alone, Jacqueline is assaulted by her ex's frat brother. Rescued by a stranger who seems to be in the right place at the right time, she wants nothing more than to forget the attack and that night--but her savior, Lucas, sits on the back row of her econ class, sketching in a notebook and staring at her. Her friends nominate him to be the perfect rebound.

When her attacker turns stalker, Jacqueline has a choice: crumple in defeat or learn to fight back. Lucas remains protective, but he's hiding secrets of his own. Suddenly appearances are everything, and knowing who to trust is anything but easy.I had never read any of Tammara's books before, but I had been eyeing this one and waiting for the release date since I stumbled upon it. I actually had it on my Kindle for a few days before reading it, and after reading it, all I can say is, "Why in the heck did I not read this sooner?" It was fantastic, and I know it is one of those books that I will read over and over again!

Easy reminded me of Beautiful Disaster--just the right amount of romance blended seamlessly with the right amount of action. There were only a few times (maybe 2) where I thought it dragged, but then it picked right back up and I was hooked again!

I loved Tammara's characters. She brought life to the--even the smaller roles. I really loved Erin, Jacqueline's roommate. She was passionate, opinionated, and was one of those girls that knows what they want. She was funny and I really enjoyed watching her take Jacqueline under her wing and help her through her situation. I imagine her as the perfect college roommate--fun and social, but totally willing to help you kick a guy's ass--if need be.

The story centers around Jacqueline, who in a few short weeks, experiences a heart-wrenching break-up, an attempted sexual assault, and a possible class failure. She's real in every aspect--from her emotions to her actions. But, I really liked that she wasn't whiney. She took charge or her situations and tried not to let them ruin her life. Even though I have never been in any situation remotely similar, I still felt like I related to her.

And then there's the hottie--Lucas. He's the yummy bad boy that rides a motorcycle, has tatooes and body piercings, and can reduce a man to rubble in a fight. You'd think he's the type you wouldn't want to bring home to mommy, but that's not true. In fact, everything on the outside rivals what's on the inside. He's full of pleasant surprises, and trust me, you will totally fall for him!

This is definitely for mature readers, as the first chapter starts with an attempted sexual assault. But for those who can handle the adult situations, this is a great, MUST READ book.

I will admit, I've already re-read my favorite parts!

Tammara interweaves a chilling plot line with brilliant and swoon-worthy romance, and I just couldn't get enough!

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.

His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.

But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.

For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

From Maggie Stiefvater, the bestselling and acclaimed author of the Shiver trilogy and The Scorpio Races, comes a spellbinding new series where the inevitability of death and the nature of love lead us to a place we’ve never been before.

"Don't walk in front of a bus!" Bam! Bam! Bam!
Despite the repeated warnings, the reader as well as the protagonist is hit
time after time by a bus of revelations that makes this book a
grip-the-edges-and-hold-on-until-your-through masterpiece!

Maggie Stiefvater ironically epitomizes her own three
definitions of creativity in the book.First being creative is "taking old things and cutting them up and
making better things." Who doesn't love the art of fortune-telling?Haven't we all read our horoscope? Yet
Stiefvater takes these old world things and brings them into the contemporary
setting among mismatched friends--Gansey, rich boy in a preparatory school on a
quest; Adam, poor boy on scholarship to rich school and victim of abuse; Ronan,
private school tough guy with a chip on his shoulder; Noah, the quiet one who
is either bullied or ignored, and Blue, public school poor girl from a family
of psychics.Again, typical type
characters, or so you think until page after page reveals secrets of the secrets
and you are so shocked as each is bared that "better" doesn't even
begin to describe it. (Although I will admit that Stiefvater inundates the book
with characters and these are just a few. I struggled to keep everyone straight
through the first part of the book and I will admit to having to backtrack
through the pages at the beginning to remember who was who, but her
characterization is so in depth that the reader can finally solidify them.)

Secondly, creativity could be "taking things that
already existed and transforming them into something else." The kids
stumble onto a cold case--a murder from the past of a student from the
school.I can't reveal the
"transformation" of this event for fear of a major spoiler event, but
let's just say, "I see dead people!"

And finally Stiefvater says creativity can "make a
thing where before there was none."For those of you who are tired of the same old paranormal YA novels, get
ready for the literal magic and the literary magic that can only be created by
Maggie Stiefvater!

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. It spotlights books that have not yet been released, but ones that you should pre-order today! This week's book that we are anxiously awaiting is ASHES ON THE WAVES by Mary Lindsey. ASHES ON THE WAVES releases on June 27, 2013 from Penguin/Philomel.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Liam MacGregor is cursed. Haunted by the wails of fantastical Bean Sidhes and labeled a demon by the villagers of Dòchas, Liam has accepted that things will never get better for him—until a wealthy heiress named Annabel Leighton arrives on the island and Liam’s fate is changed forever.

With Anna, Liam finally finds the happiness he has always been denied; but, the violent, mythical Otherworlders, who inhabit the island and the sea around it, have other plans. They make a wager on the couple’s love, testing its strength through a series of cruel obstacles. But the tragedies draw Liam and Anna even closer. Frustrated, the creatures put the couple through one last trial—and this time it’s not only their love that’s in danger of being destroyed.

I have been dying to read this since February when I first discovered it! I mean, based on Annabel Lee by Edgar Allan Poe? Win!! I am a huge Poe fan, and I always made sure to teach The Raven and Annabel Lee in my classroom. And now, we have a novel based on it. I can't stop grinning!

This story sounds dark and beautiful, and I love how Mary has brought in Bean Sidhes and Otherworlders to complete her haunting tale. Liam and Annabel sound captivating, and their tale of love and tragedy, I'm sure, will be destructive and passionate.

"She was cradled against an extremely warm body, on that
smelled tantalizingly of roasted spices and wood fire. " ARC, Pg 47

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I really loved this book! It reminded me of Disney's The Black Cauldron, which was one of my favorite cartoons growing up. It has the riffraff guy, the beautiful girl, and the enchanted pig. I was swept away into Bridget's world--an intriguing world full of betrayal and mystery. It was cute and quick read (I read it in one sitting), and it just somehow felt magical. I highly recommend you preorder this one today!

And of course you want to know about the mysterious guy...let's just say, he'll be worth the wait until March!